The following message was posted recently on the Friends of Maplecrest Park Facebook group. Local residents wishing to attend the meeting tonight (Dec. 17) at 6:30 p.m. at the Maplewood Police Headquarters at 1618 Springfield Avenue should respond by asking to join the Friends of Maplecrest Park Facebook group and posting there.
Hello neighbors and friends of Maplecrest Park,
This week [Dec. 11] we were informed of a new proposal by the Department of Recreation to expand recreational facilities at Maplecrest Park. Director of Recreation Keith Knudsen has submitted a proposal to the Open Space Trust Fund committee to construct a basketball court and a sand volleyball court in the park. Currently the Open Space Trust Fund Committee is reviewing the proposal and discussing whether to recommend the project to the Township Committee in early January.
Keith would like to hold a meeting in order to present his ideas to us and gather information and feedback from the neighborhood about the proposal. This information would then be shared with the governing body so that it can be part of the review and decision-making process. Since it is the holiday season, we would like to have this meeting as soon as possible–next week, Thursday, December 17– so that our feedback is captured in time for the January review.
The basketball court would be a full court and is proposed to be placed in the area to the right of the playground as you are facing Oakland Rd. For some of us who have been here for a while, this is the site of the old basketball court that was removed some time ago (where the base of the water fountain remains). The sand volleyball court would be placed in front of the tennis courts, where the poles for a volleyball net are now placed. The courts would be fenced, and no lighting is planned. This would be a multi-year installation project.
The presentation will take place in the courthouse of the Police Station on Springfield Ave. on December 17, at 6:30 pm. If you can’t attend the meeting, and have questions, please send them along so that we can share them that night. We will also send out a detailed summary following the meeting.
The format of the meeting will be a brief presentation by Keith, followed by a question-and-answer period, and then they will welcome people up to give their feedback individually. We want everyone to be able to give their thoughts, so we ask that everyone try to remain concise and on point so that we all have a chance to talk.
In other news, the DPW is in the process of installing emergency call buttons in the playground area and by the field closest to Forest Rd.
Can you let us know if you plan to attend the meeting so that we have some idea of numbers? Also, please spread the word, especially to our Boyden Pkwy and Boyden Pkwy South neighbors, who will be most impacted.
Thank you,
Deborah Lyons
Catherine Redd
